Seek Giacometti’s “The Palace at 4 a.m.” Go back two hours. See towers and curtain walls of matchsticks, marble, marbles, light, cloud at stasis. Walk in. The beggar queen is dreaming on her throne of words…You have arrived at the web home of Marly Youmans, maker of novels, poetry collections, and stories, as well as the occasional fantasy for younger readers.

Youmans (pronounced like 'yeoman' with an 's' added) is the best-kept secret

among contemporary American writers. --John Wilson, editor, Books and Culture Marly Youmans is a novelist and poet out of sync with the times

but in tune with the ages. --First Things

Monday, July 30, 2012

New interview link

In answer to a request for another link: the WSKG interview has now shifted into archives and on-demand play. You may find it here, accompanied by an article by Bill Jaker, or else you may go to the full list of "Off the Page" shows with Mr. Jaker here. It's an hour-long show, so we had time to discuss and read from A Death at the White Camellia Orphanage, answer a couple of emailed and called-in questions, and read from The Throne of Psyche, The Foliate Head, and the forthcoming-in-November Thaliad. Related link: opening chapter of the novel at Scribd.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Alas, I must once again remind large numbers of Chinese salesmen and other worldwide peddlers that if they fall into the Gulf of Spam, they will be eaten by roaming Balrogs. The rest of you, lovers of grace, poetry, and horses (nod to Yeats--you do not have to be fond of horses), feel free to leave fascinating missives and curious arguments.

The Throne of Psyche

The Ferrol Sams Award; Silver Award in Fiction, ForeWord BOTYAs

UK: Stanza, 2012

"one of the most beautiful books of the 21st century" -Ben Steelman, The Star News, 11/2014

A Death at the White Camellia Orphanagetells of a young boy's travels through the black heart of Depression America & his search for light both metaphorical & real. Writing with a controlled lyrical passion, Marly Youmans has crafted the finest, & the truest period novel I've read in years.Lucius Shepard

KINDRED SPIRITS

Praise for A DEATH AT THE WHITE CAMELLIA ORPHANAGE

*A REVIEWER:"Its themes and the power of its language, the forceful flow of its storyline and its characters have earned the right to a broad national audience"John M. Formy-Duval for About.com.

*A BOOKSELLER:"I agree with one reviewer that said this is destined to be an American classic."Nancy Olson, Quail Ridge Books, NC

photo: R. B. Miller, 8/2013

My friend Marly Youmans is one of America's finest writers. Anyone who knows her work even slightly would have little trouble reaching that conclusion. From the very beginning of my awareness of her work, I realized that her voice was unique, her grasp of technique in poetry and fiction stunning, and her imagination boundless. She seems to combine two impossible-to-resolve things simultaneously: traditional forms and an edgy, almost avant-garde sensibility.-novelist/poet Philip Lee Williams